Cruz Questions Muratalla’s Willingness For IBF Mandatory

Muratalla has pushed back on the idea that he tried to avoid the fight. He has leaned instead on experience, pointing to a longer professional career and a higher number of fights as the difference between himself and Cruz.

“The experience that I have. I think that plays a huge role,” Muratalla said in an interview with Matchroom Boxing. “My mindset once I enter the ring. It just clicks for me and connects.”

Cruz enters the fight as the betting favorite. The Cuban standout is still early in his professional career, but his amateur background continues to define how opponents and oddsmakers view him. Cruz won gold at the 2020 Olympics and defeated Keyshawn Davis four times in the amateurs, including in the Olympic final.

Asked directly whether he believed Muratalla wanted the fight, Cruz was blunt.

“From the outset, I didn’t,” Cruz said. “They know what they want for his career. But I came to take it all.”

Cruz’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has said Muratalla had an opportunity to face Cruz last year but that negotiations stalled over money. Muratalla then explored a voluntary defense before the IBF stepped in and ordered the mandatory, removing that option.

Muratalla disputes the suggestion that he turned anything down.

“I’ve been wanting to get these fights,” Muratalla said. “I wanted to get this belt just so I could make fights like this happen. I’m definitely heading for this fight, and bigger fights after this.”

Cruz, however, maintains that the earlier talks never progressed.

“Because I signed the contract to make the fight, and we didn’t get an answer from the other side,” he said.

Muratalla’s response has been simple.

“I never received a contract,” he said. “I never received one until now.”

With the mandatory finally in place, the debate over who wanted the fight is no longer theoretical. It will be settled in the ring on January 24.